My Saving Grace

Chapter 20 The Greatest Love of All

Our story never has to end. I'll always be apart of you. This is our Fairytale ending.

Eight months had passed in Tree Hill, and both Peyton and Riley were due to give birth at any minute.

It had been a long eight months for the Scott family and their journey was just beginning.

Riley was standing in front of her mirror looking at her rather large stomach. She was about five months pregnant at the time, and she felt like a water buffalo.

Preston walked into her room to see all of her clothes on the floor. "Did you closet explode?" He laughed.

She starting crying, "I can't help that I can't find anything to wear because I'm so fat."

"You're pregnant you're supposed to be fat."

He shouldn't have said that. Her hormones were raging.

"You think I'm fat."

"Um, uh oh…you are not fat." He realized what he had said.

"That's what you just said. God it is just like a man not to know what he really means. You guys are the ones that get us women pregnant and then you call us fat." She yelled at him and started throwing her clothes at him. "Get out since you think I'm so fat."

"You aren't fat. You are beautiful."

"I don't care. Get out." She kept throwing things at him until he finally got the hint and left her room.

Lucas saw him. "What happened? I heard screaming."

"Can't they just go ahead and have the babies already. This hormone thing is really getting to me."

Lucas smiled, "We only have a few more months buddy."

"They are going to be the longest months of my life right?"

"Right…"

On another instance Preston got home late from his date with Julie. Peyton was waiting on him. "Oh my God where have you been? I almost called the police. I was so worried."

"I'm sorry mom." She had scared him. "I'm only like fifteen minutes late."

She hugged him, "I thought that I was going to lose you." She started crying. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

"You aren't going to lose me mom," he would be so glad when she finally had the baby.

"I know but I was scared. I worry about you."

"I know mom. I promise I won't be late ever again."

"You better not," she continued to hug him for a while.

Preston and Lucas had both had their hands full with crying, mood swings, and weird food cravings that had them out in the middle of the night, but they had both been real troopers about it all.

Peyton had been put on bed rest about seven months into her pregnancy, and she wasn't very happy about it.

Lucas and Peyton walked into the house after her doctor's appointment. "Okay let's get you to bed."

"Luke," she started to complain.

"Ah huh," he shook his head. "Don't start with me Peyton. You heard the doctor."

"I know, but I just think he is wrong. I'm fine. I don't need to stay in bed twenty-four seven."

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice." He kissed her forehead. "Let's go."

She hated bed rest, and she made sure everyone knew it. It had been a tough couple of months, and Lucas could not wait for the baby to be born.

Riley had been through a lot too. People at school ridiculed her for keeping a baby that was going to be born without a father. Riley didn't care though. Her family was behind her, and she knew that she was doing the right thing.

Riley walked into school with Preston by her side. She was about four months pregnant.

A girl walked by whispering, "That kid is going to be so screwed up."

"I know. She should have had an abortion."

"I agree or she should at least think about adoption. No child should be born without a father."

"Hey we can hear you." Preston yelled at them.

"Maybe you should be able to hear us. Maybe she should know that she is making a huge mistake."

"She isn't making a huge mistake. She loves this baby, and she is going to be the best mother. The three of you could really learn something from her."

"Yeah don't have sex until we're married." The girl laughed.

Riley finally spoke up, "I doubt anyone would ever want to have sex with you."

"I know I sure wouldn't." Preston smiled. And they walked away. Preston promised Riley that he would always take care of her.

Later that night, he found her crying in her bedroom. "Hey are you okay?"

"I can't do this Preston. What if those girls were right? What if I am making a huge mistake?"

"Do you think you are making a huge mistake?"

She shook her head, "Sometimes I think I am making the right decision because I already love this baby so much, but then other times I think I am making a huge mistake. This baby is going to grow up without a father, and I am way too young to take on a responsibility like this. I'm really scared Preston."

He held her and then finally spoke. "If Owen was still alive do you think that you would have kept the baby?"

"Yes, Owen would have loved this child with all of his heart. He always wanted a family. I know it would be hard, but at least I would have him."

"Owen made a conscious decision to save you that night. He proved that he loved you so much that he was willing to save you. I think that this baby is a sign that love can live on after death. It is going to be hard because nothing in life is ever easy."

"Do you really think I'm going to be a good mom?"

"You are going to be the best mom."

"Thanks Preston," she wiped away her tears. "I'm so glad that you are my brother."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. And you know another thing this kid is going to be the most loved kid on the planet. He or she is going to have the whole Scott crew watching over him or her."

"Yeah I guess she is pretty lucky." She smiled as she rubbed her stomach.

"I thought you didn't know what you were having."

"I just have this feeling. It has to be a girl."

"I'm gonna be the best Uncle I can be."

"I know. You already are." She was so glad that she had Preston in her life.

Claudia, Owen's mom, had decided to stay in town. Riley was hesitant about telling her that she was pregnant. She was afraid that she might try to take her baby away from her, but in the end she decided that it would be best to tell her that apart of Owen could still going to live on.

Riley knocked on Claudia's door. She was three months pregnant, and her baby bump was beginning to show, but not too much. She hadn't been to Owen's house since his death. It was hard because she knew that he wouldn't be answering the door or giving her a kiss. She would never feel his touch ever again, and it sent chills up and down her spine.

Claudia finally opened the door. "Riley," she smiled. She liked seeing Riley. He made her feel like Owen was still alive. "I'm sorry it took me so long to answer the door. I am trying to get used to not having in maids to do that for me."

"You fired the maids." She was surprised as she walked into the house.

"I don't need them. I have to learn how to do things on my own."

"Wow Owen would be so proud of you. He wasn't a big fan of the maids."

"I've got to change my life. I have to be a better person." Claudia smiled. "How are you doing? I'm happy that you are here."

"I'm doing better. I'm taking it day by day." Riley told her. They walked into the sun room and sat down. Riley was trying to hide her baby bump. She wanted to tell her before she figured out by looking at her.

"Are you thirsty? I can get you something to drink."

"No it's okay. I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay," Claudia was very pleasant. Losing Owen had made her a better person.

"I loved your son with all my heart, and he will always be apart of me, but not just because we loved each other, but because I'm pregnant with his baby."

Claudia looked shocked. She wasn't expecting her to say that she was pregnant. "Oh my God."

"I know it is a lot to take in trust me, but I'm happy about it. I promise that you can be apart of this child's life. This baby is important to me, and I thought that you should know."

Claudia hugged her. "Wow, this is a miracle. If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to call me. I want to be apart of this child's life."

"You will be. I think Owen would want it that way." Riley smiled.

Claudia had made a lot of mistakes with Owen, but she was going to get it right with her grandchild. She was going to make sure that she was a major part of his or her life.

Julie and Preston were still dating. They had a difference of opinion about waiting until marriage, but Preston was sure that he could get her to crack.

Peyton was lying in bed like she had been doing for over a month. Lucas walked in with tons of healthy food. "Hey honey," he gave her a quick kiss.

"Hi." She smiled.

He looked around the room, "Where's Riley?" Riley was usually in bed with Peyton. They had really bonded over their pregnancies, and had become closer than ever. Their due dates were very close. It was as if they had conceived on the exact same day.

"Oh she's in her room."

"No she's not," Lucas had just stopped by there.

"She said that she wanted to stay in her room today."

"She's not in there. I just checked." Lucas began to worry.

"Um I'm sure she is fine."

"She's eight and a half months pregnant. She shouldn't be leaving the house especially without someone with her." He was frustrated.

"Where are you going?"

"I've got to go find my daughter. I realize now that I can't leave the two of you by yourselves without supervision."

"We're not five Lucas."

"No but you are pregnant." Lucas walked out of the bedroom. Peyton was frustrated that he was frustrated that Riley had left the house.

A few minutes later Preston walked into the bedroom. "Hey mom."

"Hey, I thought you were with Julie today."

"Dad called and said I had to come home."

He sat on the bed next to her.

"Oh I'm sorry. I know these past months haven't been easy on you."

"I don't mind. I know that you guys need me."

She smiled, "I am so proud of you Preston. You are an amazing son, and I hope that this baby turns out to be half the man you are."

He looked at her, "Are you having a boy?" They hadn't told anyone what the sex of the baby was.

"Yeah, you're going to have a little brother."

"Yes," he was excited. "That's awesome mom."

"I know I'm pretty excited about it. Pretty soon this house is going to be full of little babies."

"I think it is amazing how things have worked out for us. Six years ago I would never have thought that we would be here. I never thought we would be happy. I actually thought that one of us might end up dead. And we almost did, but we beat the odds."

Peyton had tears running down her face. "We did it because we had each other, and we didn't let anything stop us from getting what we want. I'm so happy that you are my son."

"I couldn't have asked for a better mother. I love you."

She hugged him, "I love you too baby boy."

………………………………

Riley was sitting on the river court holding her stomach. She loved going to the river court because it was where she and Owen spent a lot of time together. She needed to think. She knew that her life was about to change drastically once the baby was born. She would no longer be responsible for just herself. She had a whole other little life to worry about. Even though she had her family she knew that it was going to be hard, but she knew in the end it would be worth it.

Lucas walked up and sat next to his daughter. "You know you should be in bed. I'm thinking about handcuffing you to it next time."

"Sorry daddy," she sighed. "I needed to be alone."

"Well in your condition that probably isn't the best idea."

"I know." She rubbed her stomach. "I'm scared dad. What if I can't do this?"

"It is a little late to be asking that question."

"What if I am a bad mom?"

"You won't be a bad mom Riley. You are going to be a great mom. You learned from the best."

"I wonder if she is proud of me." Riley rested her head on Lucas's shoulder.

"I know she is. I'm proud of you too." He handed her the book that he was holding. "This is for you."

"You bought me a book. Of course you bought me a book."

Lucas smiled, "Actually I wrote you a book."

"You wrote me a book."

"Yeah, I am author after all."

She looked at the book. "My Saving Grace," she read the title.

"I know that you are young, and most people don't believe that a person your age can fall in love and it really be true love. At first I thought that you were rushing it, but after reading all the letters that Owen wrote about you and to you, I saw how much he loved you and how real it was." He smiled, "I wish everyone could be as lucky as you were, and I feel like this little baby is your saving grace."

She smiled as tears fell down her face, "Daddy….How did you write it?"

"Well I followed the letters and the things that you have said about him. It was really hard for me to write love scenes so there aren't very many of those. It is somewhat G rated because I would like to think my daughter was still my little baby."

"Yeah hence the baby bump."

"I think that the world should be able to be apart of the greatest love story that there ever was. He put your life ahead of his own, and although he didn't know it he saved two lives that day. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Owen thought the same thing about our love story. He wanted everyone to know how much he loved me."

"But if you don't want me to publish this I don't have to. I know how hard it is to relive all the moments over."

Riley shook her head, "I want the whole world to know how one couple loved each other so much that they would do anything for each other. Owen may be dead but he is definitely not gone." She touched her stomach. "This is the best thing that anyone has ever given me. Please publish it. I want people to know my story, our story."

Lucas hugged his daughter. "Let's get you home."

"Okay," she stood up and then sat back down. "Uh oh."

"What's wrong?" Lucas rubbed her back.

"My water just broke." She said calmly.

"Um wow okay um let's get you to the hospital."

"Yeah…"

Everything was about to change.

……………………………

At home Peyton and Preston were watching a movie together. "Oh," Peyton squealed. "Oh…."

"Mom what's wrong?"

"I'm just oh wow, that one hurt a little more…"

"What's happening?" he knew this couldn't be good.

"I need you to take me to the hospital."

"Oh crap…."

"The baby is coming."

"Okay, I'm not going to panic. Let's get you to the hospital." He was panicking.

……………………………………

At the hospital both pregnant women arrived at about the same time. Lucas saw Peyton. "Are you having the baby?"

"Yeah," Peyton clinched her teeth together. "He is coming." She saw Riley. "Is she having her baby?"

"Yeah it looks like the two of you are going to have your babies at the same time." Lucas was worried.

"Peyton," Brooke said as she rushed into the hospital.

"Brooke," Peyton smiled the best that she could.

"Dad," Riley screamed.

Peyton looked at him. "You should go be with her Luke."

"Peyt," he wanted to see his child being born, but he knew that his daughter was going to need him.

"I have Brooke. Your daughter needs you. I'm going to be okay." Lucas kissed her forehead and touched her stomach.

He looked at Brooke, "Take care of her."

"You know I will."

Peyton and Riley were wheeled away. Preston was standing there speechless. He knew everything was about to change. He also thought it was pretty cool that they were having their babies at the same time.

…………………………………….

Riley was more dilated than Peyton was. The doctor told her to push, and Lucas held her hand every step of the way. It was the best worse pain she had ever felt in her entire life, but she knew it was all worth it.

"One more push Riley," the doctor told her.

She screamed and squeezed Lucas' hand as tight as she possibly could. He thought she was going to cut off his circulation.

"You're doing good baby." He kept telling her.

The baby came out and the doctor held her up. Lucas' heart melted.

Lucas was standing in the hospital room with his wife Lindsay. He was holding her hand when their little girl was born.

"Oh wow," he couldn't believe how beautiful she was. "You did so good Lindsay. She's perfect."

He couldn't believe that his baby had a baby of her own. "You did so good Riley. She's perfect just like you were."

Riley smiled and had tears running down her face. It was a bitter sweet moment, but she couldn't be happier. Her little girl was perfect.

"Dad go be with Peyton," she looked at him. "We're okay here."

"Riley," he started to disagree, but she gave him the look that he knew he couldn't argue with.

He made his way down the hall to find Peyton's delivery room. He was told by a nurse that Peyton hadn't given birth yet. He rushed into the room to see Brooke holding Peyton's hand.

"Only one person can be in here," a nurse told him.

"I'm the father." Lucas walked in and held Peyton's hand. Brooke backed away. She knew that Lucas had her now. She knew that she never had to worry about Peyton ever again.

Lucas didn't want Brooke to leave. "Can she please stay? She's the god mother."

Brooke was touched.

The doctor nodded. "Okay Peyton keep pushing."

Peyton screamed with sweat rolling down her face. Lucas pushed her hair out of her face and held onto her hand tightly.

The doctor held up the baby boy. Lucas couldn't believe it. He kissed Peyton's forehead. After they cleaned him up, a nurse handed him to Peyton. "I'm so proud of you."

"He looks just like you Lucas." She was glowing.

"He's perfect."

"How's Riley?" She had just given birth to the most beautiful baby boy, but she couldn't help to think about the girl that she thought of as her daughter.

"Mom and daughter are doing just fine." It was going to take him a lot of time to get used to calling her a mom, but eventually he would.

…...................................

Peyton and Riley had a room together. Both moms and babies were doing perfect. Lucas, Brooke, Preston, Haley, Nathan, Karen, Andy, Julie, and Dan were all in the hospital room with them. It was hard for Karen and Dan to be in the same room, but they managed. Nathan still hadn't decided to give Dan a chance, but he understood that Lucas needed too.

"So what are their names?" Brooke asked. She loved names.

Peyton smiled, "Well Lucas and I decided that our son should have a very strong name."

"We decided to name him after someone that really influenced my life, and really helped to make me who I am today."

"Everyone this is Sawyer Keith Scott," Peyton smiled as she looked at her son. He had dark hair and big blue eyes. He was simply perfect.

Dan smiled, "That's a great name." He knew that Keith had been good to his son before his death, and he was very grateful.

Karen mouthed thank you to Lucas. She had hoped that if it was a boy that they would name him after Keith.

Lucas wrapped his arm around his mom.

"Hey there Sawyer," Preston smiled.

Brooke looked at Riley, "It's your turn."

Before Riley could say anything Claudia rushed through the door. "I'm sorry I'm late." She had bags full of baby things. "I went a little crazy at the store." She smiled. She was happy to be apart of Riley and the baby's life.

"You're not late. You're actually right on time." Riley smiled. "I was just about to tell everyone what her name is going to be." Everyone was looking at her. They were anxious to know. "One of the most memorable days in my life was spent with Owen. I was having a pretty bad day. It was my mom's birthday, and I really missed her, and Owen made everything okay. He really showed me who he was, and it was the first time that I told him that I loved him. And I meant every word I said. I knew that we were supposed to be together." Tears began to form in her eyes, "He read me some quotes and passages from his favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. He said that he always wanted a love like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, and I think that this little baby is proof that we had that kind of love. We always will….So her name is Darcy Elizabeth."

Everyone had tears in their eyes. "I love it." Lucas gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead. "It is perfect."

"Elizabeth is actually from the book but also Peyton's middle name. It hurt a lot when I lost my mom, but it is really nice to know that I have you in my life."

Peyton smiled, "I love you like you were my daughter."

"I love you too." She looked at Claudia. "Would you like to hold your granddaughter?"

"I would love to hold my granddaughter." She held the beautiful little baby that would always be a reminder of Owen. "Your daddy would be so proud of you."

In life things aren't always easy, but as long as you have your family, and you stick together everything will be okay. Family can get you through anything.

About a week later Riley took her daughter to Owen's grave. She spent hours telling her daughter about her daddy. She was going to make sure that Darcy Elizabeth always knew how amazing her father was, and how he saved their lives.

Okay so there is the end of My Saving Grace. I'm sad that it is over. I loved writing this story for you guys. I think it my favorite that I have ever written. I thought about doing a third part to the story just to kind of wrap up everything, and if I did do it things would take place like three or four years later, but I can't make up my mind. There are some things in this story that I didn't explore and I would like to go into that, but I like how it ended, and sometimes if you keep doing things you kind of ruin it, and I don't want to ruin it. So I don't know. I'm still trying to decided. If not I'll probably have another new story up soon. I have all these ideas. I just have to figure out which one I want to use.

What did you guys think? I hope you liked it a lot.

Thanks so much for all the reviews. You guys were amazing. I was so happy with the amount of reviews the story got, and how many people added it to their favorites. That makes me so excited. I could not have written this without all of your support. You truly are amazing. So thanks again.